South-Carolina
South Carolina finishes off Salute the Troops Weekend with win over Air Force
Off the bat, it looked like a flyout to right field, and perhaps on most days, it would have been. But not with the wind blowing out, and certainly not with South Carolina’s hottest hitter at the plate.
With winds gusting to around 16 miles per hour, Will Craddock’s fly ball turned into something more. It kept carrying as Air Force right fielder Brooks Burdine drifted back to the wall, looking confused about what had just happened.
“I can pretty much judge when a ball is going to be gone or not, after being as old as I am and seeing so many balls hit through the years,” head coach Paul Mainieri said. “But I thought Will crushed it, and he told me, ‘When I hit it, there was no doubt it was gone.’ We were fortunate it went out.”
Instead, the seemingly routine flyout turned into a leadoff home run for Craddock, who has now accomplished that feat in back-to-back games. It helped get the Gamecocks off to another good start in a 4-2 win over Air Force to wrap up Salute the Troops Weekend on Sunday.
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Craddock’s first week of college baseball couldn’t have gone much better as the freshman first baseman went 8-for-15 (.533) with two homers and six RBI. He finished 2-for-4 with a solo shot and a double in the weekend finale.
The Gamecocks (6-2) didn’t have their best day at the plate, but they did enough early to create some breathing room. They broke out for three more runs in the second inning, starting with an RBI single by Beau Hollins, who went 2-for-2 and reached base in his three plate appearances.
Luke Yuhasz later grounded out to third base with no outs to bring home Hollins. After another base hit for Craddock, Patrick Evans laced an RBI double down the left-field line.
“I really attribute it to outstanding relief pitching by (Air Force),” Mainieri said on the lack of run scoring after a fast start. “They had really good relievers, and we had really good relievers, and the conditions were really difficult to hit in. So there wasn’t much scoring after his first couple innings. I just thought our bullpen just did a tremendous job, and we did just enough to win. So it was a gritty, hard-fought win for us.”
Brandon Stone didn’t give the Gamecocks much length in his second start of the year, largely because of a 34-pitch first inning. As a result, the right-hander lasted only three innings, allowing one run while striking out five and walking two. But the bullpen did its job in picking him up.
Logan Prisco gave up one run in 1.1 innings of work and walked one over 35 pitches. Zach Russell allowed one hit and struck out two over 1.2 innings. Russell picked up his second win of the year and hasn’t given up a run in any of his three appearances so far this year.
“I’d say just attacking the zone, getting ahead,” Russell said on what’s worked best for him. “It’s a problem I kind of had last year. Just walks, not getting ahead. I’ve been throwing a new cutter that’s been working pretty good.”
Alex Valentin went the final three innings and picked up his second save of the year. He struck out three while allowing only one hit.
The left-hander has proven capable of pitching well in relief, but Mainieri isn’t entirely sure how the Gamecocks will use him moving forward, whether that means keeping him in the bullpen or shifting him into a different role.
“Alex is fearless. I mean, he’s got talent,” Mainieri said. “He throws up to 94 miles an hour left-handed, and he’s got a good slider and a good change-up, but the biggest thing of all is he’s fearless. … He thinks he can do anything out there, and I love that about him. He’s a great competitor, throws a lot of strikes. What’s not to like? I think he’s outstanding. I think he could handle any role we give him.”
Up next: South Carolina will host Queens on Wednesday evening at Founders Park. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 16, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 9-7-1, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-0, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 7-4-2-9, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-6-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 16 drawing
Midday: 10
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 16 drawing
06-21-24-38-40
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 6-0-9, FB: 9
Evening: 8-8-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 3-8-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 2-7-9-6, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
01-04-17-34-41
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 15 drawing
14-15-23-33-42, Powerball: 16
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
(WPDE) — A social media post from U.S. Rep. William Timmons is drawing attention to a South Carolina election-law scenario that could shape whether some members of Congress decide to run for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Under the timeline outlined, a sitting member of Congress could win reelection to the U.S. House and also win the open U.S. Senate seat on Election Day, Nov. 3. Because a person cannot serve in both offices, the lawmaker would have to choose.
If the member chose the Senate seat, the change would take effect when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. At that point, the person would leave their House seat to serve in the Senate.
Unlike a U.S. Senate vacancy, a U.S. House seat cannot be filled by appointment. Instead, a special election would be required to choose a new representative. Until that special election is held, the House seat would remain vacant.
Timmons said the temporary vacancy could matter because the House elects its speaker when the new Congress begins on Jan. 3. With Republicans expected to hold a narrow majority, Timmons argues that even one temporary vacancy could make it more difficult for Speaker Mike Johnson to secure enough votes to keep the speaker’s gavel.
The next step in the process comes Tuesday, when candidate filing for the special Republican primary opens. Filing closes July 28.
Observers will be watching whether the issue affects who files for the race and whether any lawmakers propose changes to the election process.
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